Lesson 1028

(Lesson 1028)(07-07-14) Luke 21:20-38

"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him."

In this quote Jesus laid out the events that were, and are, to take place before His return to earth, after the completion of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

If we look back in history we see that the temple in Jerusalem was indeed destroyed and the Jewish nation was overcome and scattered all over the known world.

One can follow the signs and easily determine just how close the second coming of Christ must surely be.

To those of us who are saved by God's grace, there is a very cherished statement made in today's quote. Speaking of the end time, after most of these things had come to pass, Jesus said; "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." What a blessed word, redemption.~

Lesson 1027

(Lesson 1027)(07-06-14) Luke 21:5-19

"And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls."

Today's lesson is a forewarning to Jesus' disciples, of things to come. Jesus foretold the destruction of the city of Jerusalem by the Romans. He warned that some would even become enemies of their own families.

As look back through history tells us that everything Jesus predicted has either already happened, presently happening, or can be seen in our immediate future.

Heaven knows there are false teachers and preachers everywhere we look. What today is being taught to be the gospel of Jesus Christ has been so watered down so as to have little meaning at all.
It behooves us all to intently study today's quote and to rededicate ourselves to an intense effort to rehabilitate the image of the children of God.

I believe the time of Christ's return is nearing at a very quick pace, but beyond that, simply out of love for our God, we should make every effort to spread the good news of His saving grace as if Jesus were with us now.~

Lesson 1026

(Lesson 1026)(07-05-14) Luke 21:1-4

"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

Today's is a lesson on both faith and devotion, in that the rich men gave far more money to the temple treasury, their money meant little in comparison to the two mites that were given by the widow. By giving all the money she had, that widow demonstrated true devotion to God's work and absolute faith in Him. She knew that God would provide for her needs even though she had no more money.

Wouldn't it be so much easier for the Church to reach out to the lost if all the wealthy who claim to be God's people, were to give of their wealth in proportion to what that widow gave?

As is demonstrated in today's lesson, it is not the amount of the gift that is important to God, it is the intent of the gift along with the faith and devotion shown by the giver.

Jesus made a promise to those Jews who, during His ministry, gave all they had toward His purpose; "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

That same promise stands today for those who will devote all they have to the ministry of the gospel.~

Lesson 1025

(Lesson 1025)(07-04-14) Luke 20:27-47

"Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation."

This lesson takes up a lot of type space but it is very short in it's intent. Jesus simply clarified that there will be no specific associations in heaven. A husband will no longer be a husband, and a wife will no longer be a wife. The bond that made them one here on earth, will be broken. We will have no family as such in heaven, we will all be brothers and sisters among the children of God. We will be total equals in every regard.

Jesus said; "The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."

In the very last part of this lesson, Jesus again points out the hypocrisy of those who call attention to themselves in the name of God while grossly exaggerating their devotion to the Lord's work.

Sadly, it seems today's "Christianity" is infested with them.~

Lesson 1024

(Lesson 1024)(07-03-14) Luke 20:20-26

"And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

In today's lesson Jesus was approached by the leaders of the Jews who asked, in essence, whether or not it was right for His followers to pay taxes. Seeing that they were only trying to cause Him trouble with the Romans Jesus said; "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's."

This lesson establishes that then, and even today, we are to obey the laws of our land. If the government demands that we do certain things, we are obligated to do them, including, so much as we all hate it, paying taxes.

This, however, does NOT require that we do things that are contrary to the gospel of Christ.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to live here in the USA are blessed to live in a country where our religious freedom is, for the most part, guaranteed and respected.

Sadly, there are some who wrongfully believe that we are to force our belief system on others. We are not authorized to judge the actions of others, we are to simply leave them to the judgment of God. Jesus told us how to deal with unbelievers when He sent out His teachers; "whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city." (Matthew 10:14-15)

The only judgment that we are authorized to make as members of Christ's Church, is restricted to our brothers and sisters in the Church, as Jesus said in Matthew 18:15-17: "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

Therefore, true Christian people are ONLY authorized to condemn the actions of fellow Church members, we are NOT to condemn unbelievers for theirs.

God has already judged those who deny His saving grace, we have no need to do so.~

Lesson 1023

(Lesson 1023)(07-02-14) Luke 20:9-19

"Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them."

In today's quote, Jesus, condemning the Jews for their disobedience and hypocrisy, used a parable to relate how God had sent Moses, the prophets, and even His own Son to deliver His chosen people from their sins.

It is related in the parable that the Jewish people, throughout history, had rejected God's many offers as they turned further and further away from Him, eventually even crucifying and killing His only begotten Son, not caring the Jesus represented God in the flesh.

Today there are many, claiming to bear the cross of Christ, who see the Jews as still being a special people to God and therefore somehow hold them in high esteem.

Jesus made it very clear within today's quote, as He said; "He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others." The "husbandmen" represent the Jews.

Jesus clearly said that what had been the chosen status of the Jews was to be taken away from them and given to others, namely, the Gentiles.

Although there is some scriptural reference to end time special treatment for a select few from the original twelve tribes of Israel, the Church, the kingdom of God Jesus founded here on earth two thousand years ago, was then, and still remains in the hands of those Gentiles who God had made His new "chosen people" replacing the disobedient Jews.

Today's Jews still teach basically the same form of Judaism they practiced in Jesus day which prompted God to send Him to redeem the world from sin and to take away the chosen status of the Jews. Therefore, those who in some way feel scripturally obligated to the Jewish nation, should rethink that position.~

Lesson 1022

(Lesson 1022)(07-01-14) Luke 20:1-8

"And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things."

In today's lesson, and in response to the challenge of His authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders, Jesus asked if they believed "the baptism of John" was sent from God, or was it conceived by man. They admitted they weren't able to tell from where it came. Jesus then said; "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things." In simpler terms for us today, Jesus said, if you can't determine on your own where my authority comes from, I am not obligated to tell you.

This lesson has another element that is often overlooked by far too many who call themselves followers of Christ. Many inadvertently interpret the phrase, "the baptism of John", as defining only the water immersion (water baptism) process John administered. That is very, very, wrong and horribly misleading to those who are seeking the truth of God's holy word.
In truth, the phrase "the baptism of John" defines the entire ministry of John. It defines his message of repentance and the coming of Christ as well as the physical practice of ritual Jewish water "baptisms", as they were required under Hebrew law.

What I have said her is verified by the reasoning of the chief priests, elders, and scribes, when they reasoned, "Why then BELIEVED ye him not?"

One cannot disbelieve a water baptism, it is a physical act that is witnessed and either occurs or does not. However, one can, and must, believe or disbelieve a message.

This matters so much to New testament bible study because the phrase appears in some crucial scriptural text that can easily be misrepresented if the wrong definition of the phrase is applied. For example; "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19:1-5)

We see that those disciples, mentioned in the above quote, said they had been subjected to "John's baptism", meaning they had believed John's message that Christ was coming, and had also subjected themselves to the ritual water immersion John performed, but they had not yet been saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

As the quote tells us, "John's baptism" was not sufficient to there salvation, it had ONLY prepared them for the coming of the salvation that would be made available by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Realizing their dilemma of those disciples, Paul preached to them salvationby grace through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, after which they were "baptized in the name of the Lord".

We will further clarify the meaning of "John's baptism" as these lessons continue.~